No Turning Back by Estelle Freedman

Title: No Turning Back

Author: Estelle Freedman

Publisher: Ballantine Books 2002

Genre: Nonfiction - Women's Studies

Pages: 446

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure; Mount TBR; 52 Books - W40

Repeatedly declared dead by the media, the women’s movement has never been as vibrant as it is today. Indeed as Stanford professor and award-winning author Estelle B. Freedman argues in her compelling new book, feminism has reached a critical momentum from which there is no turning back. A truly global movement, as vital and dynamic in the developing world as it is in the West, feminism has helped women achieve authority in politics, sports, and business, and has mobilized public concern for once-taboo issues like rape, domestic violence, and breast cancer. And yet much work remains before women attain real equality. In this fascinating book, Freedman examines the historical forces that have fueled the feminist movement over the past two hundred years–and explores how women today are looking to feminism for new approaches to issues of work, family, sexuality, and creativity.

This amazing book was our first book club selection for the South Bay Feminist Book Club. I was excited to revisit a book that was written, published, and read back in my college years. And a reread did not disappoint. Freedman lays out an extensive argument for feminism in the history of the United States and the world. Each chapter focuses on a aspect of history from race to politics. I warn you that this book is dense. Freedman packs it full of information and theories of feminism. A very enjoyable and through-provoking read. I can't wait to discuss it with others next week.

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

Title: An Abundance of Katherines

Author: John Green

Publisher: Speak 2006

Genre: YA Contemporary

Pages: 228

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: NPR Teen; Top 100 YA; Mount TBR; 52 Books - W39; What's in a Name - Names

Colin Singleton believes he is a washed-up child prodigy. A graduating valedictorian with a talent for creating anagrams, he fears he'll never do anything to classify him as a genius. To make matters worse, he has just been dumped by his most recent girlfriend (all of them have been named Katherine), and he's inconsolable. What better time for a road trip! He and his buddy Hassan load up the gray Olds (Satan's Hearse) and leave Chicago. They make it as far as Gutshot, Tennessee, where they stop to tour the gravesite of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and meet a girl who isn't named Katherine. It's this girl, Lindsey, who helps Colin work on a mathematical theorem to predict the duration of romantic relationships.

It took me awhile to get into this book, but once I did, I was right there with the characters. Green has a way with characters that's for sure. I love the quirkiness of all the characters, especially Lindsey. The storyline wasn't the best thing, but worked well with the characters. I even loved reading about the math behind Colin's theorem. It may not be my area, but it was a great nerdy addition. Not quite as good overall as The Fault in Our Stars, but I still really loved this one.

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters

Title: Fingersmith

Author: Sarah Waters

Publisher: Riverhead Books 2002

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 584

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 21st Century Women Authors; 1001 Books; Mount TBR; New Author; Lucky No. 14 - Books vs. Movies

Sue Trinder is an orphan, left as an infant in the care of Mrs. Sucksby, a "baby farmer," who raised her with unusual tenderness, as if Sue were her own. Mrs. Sucksby’s household, with its fussy babies calmed with doses of gin, also hosts a transient family of petty thieves—fingersmiths—for whom this house in the heart of a mean London slum is home.
One day, the most beloved thief of all arrives—Gentleman, an elegant con man, who carries with him an enticing proposition for Sue: If she wins a position as the maid to Maud Lilly, a naïve gentlewoman, and aids Gentleman in her seduction, then they will all share in Maud’s vast inheritance. Once the inheritance is secured, Maud will be disposed of—passed off as mad, and made to live out the rest of her days in a lunatic asylum.
With dreams of paying back the kindness of her adopted family, Sue agrees to the plan. Once in, however, Sue begins to pity her helpless mark and care for Maud Lilly in unexpected ways...But no one and nothing is as it seems in this Dickensian novel of thrills and reversals.

Oh... I really liked this one. In the beginning of the novel, I thought I would tire of Sue's narration, but then things started happening and plot twists were revealed. And suddenly I was right in the thick of the story. I was rooting for Sue to find her escape and her happiness. I did not see her future as laid out as one carefree, but I was hoping for a bit of happiness. This book kept me guessing as to what was just around the corner. I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would.

Movie:

I've loved Sally Hawkins ever since I saw her in Persuasion. I got really excited when I saw that she was playing Susan. After watching the movie version, I'd have to saw that I like the book even more. This was a faithful adaptation of the story, although they changed the order slightly. We get much more from Maud's point of view right away. But I understand. For the movie version, this just works better. We are still experiencing the twists and turns as the plot moves forward. We will get the big reveals. And we get all the great characters brought to life on screen. Definitely recommend this one.

Fairest: The Return of the Maharaja

Title: Fairest 3: The Return of the Maharaja

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2014

Genre: Fantasy Comics

Pages: 144

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; 52 Books - W38; Read Your Freebies; Seriously Series

When Nalayani seeks the help of the Maharaja to save her village from the Dhole, she uncovers a secret that could change the Fables Universe forever: the still alive and long-thought dead Prince Charming!

Oh yes! I love this series almost as much as I love the original series: Fables. We get some of the characters from the original series (hello Prince Charming!), but expanded storylines. We also get to explore some of the other worlds alluded to in Fables. In this volume, we get to travel to Indu where Mowgli was from. I loved Nalayani's character. She's a strong, nonsense woman. The perfect foil to Prince Charming. And the ending was fantastic. I hope we get to see these two again in the series.

Fairest:

#1 Wide Awake
#2 Hidden Kingdom
In All the Land
#3 The Return of the Maharaja
#4 Cinderella - Of Mice and Men

Winterblaze by Kristen Callihan

Title: Winterblaze (Darkest London #3)

Author: Kristen Callihan

Publisher: Hachette Book Group 2012

Genre: Paranormal

Pages: 411

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Seriously Series; 52 Books - W37

Once blissfully in love . . . Poppy Lane is keeping secrets. Her powerful gift has earned her membership in the Society for the Suppression of Supernaturals, but she must keep both her ability and her alliance with the Society from her husband, Winston. Yet when Winston is brutally attacked by a werewolf, Poppy's secrets are revealed, leaving Winston's trust in her as broken as his body. Now Poppy will do anything to win back his affections . . .
Their relationship is now put to the ultimate test. Winston Lane soon regains his physical strength but his face and heart still bear the scars of the vicious attack. Drawn into the darkest depths of London, Winston must fight an evil demon that wants to take away the last hope of reconciliation with his wife. As a former police inspector, Winston has intelligence and logic on his side. But it will take the strength of Poppy's love for him to defeat the forces that threaten to tear them apart.

I really wanted to like this volume. I loved the first and second books in the series. I thought I would continue to enjoy this series. I did like the storyline involving the demon Isley. It was interesting was we got an expansion of the Darkest London world. But there were two things that turned me off from the book: main characters and sex scenes. The main characters, Winston and Poppy, paled in comparison to Archer and Miranda or Ian and Daisy. I just could not like these characters no matter what they did. Because I didn't like the main character, I found myself yelling at the book more than enjoying it. My other issue was with the constant sex scenes. Now I like a good steamy sex scene in my books, but it seemed that every other chapter was a sex scene. After awhile, I started skimming those sections. Too much and too much almost sex. It got old after awhile. This novel isn't billed as erotica but paranormal romance. I expect a few sex scenes, but more plot and character development. I didn't get it. Unfortunately this volume fell a bit flat for me. I hope the next in the series is better. I own Shadowdance and I would like to read about more in the world. I guess we will see next month...

Darkest London

#0.5 Ember
#1 Firelight
#2 Moonglow
#3 Winterblaze
#3.5 Entwined
#4 Shadowdance
#5 Evernight
#6 Spellbound
#7 Forevermore

Washington by Ron Chernow

Title: Washington: A Life

Author: Ron Chernow

Publisher: Penguin Press 2010

Genre: Biography

Pages: 905

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure; U.S. Presidents; Chunkster; 52 Books - W36

Celebrated biographer Ron Chernow provides a richly nuanced portrait of the father of our nation and the first president of the United States. With a breadth and depth matched by no other one volume biography of George Washington, this crisply paced narrative carries the reader through his adventurous early years, his heroic exploits with the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, his presiding over the Constitutional Convention, and his magnificent performance as America's first president. In this groundbreaking work, based on massive research, Chernow shatters forever the stereotype of George Washington as a stolid, unemotional figure and brings to vivid life a dashing, passionate man of fiery opinions and many moods.

This was a chunk of a book and I loved every page of it. Chernow gives us a story, not a collection of random facts about Washington. The narrative flowed from one event to another interspersed with quotes from contemporaries and even Washington himself. I was lost in this portrait of an enigmatic figure in American history. A majority of the book was spent on the Revolutionary War and subsequent Presidency, but we do get a nice look into early Washington. I may have known what he did during the French and Indian War, but it was nice to read what he had to say about that time. Chernow's tome is not for everyone, but those willing to invest in a good chunk of time should definitely pick it up. Great biography!

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Title: City of Bones (Mortal Instruments #1)

Author: Cassandra Clare

Publisher: Simon Pulse 2007

Genre: YA

Pages: 485

Rating: 4/5 stars Movie: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Book to Movie; 100 YA; NPR Teen; Fantasy Project

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder—much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It’s hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing—not even a smear of blood—to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?
This is Clary’s first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It’s also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace’s world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . .

I enjoyed this volume way more than most of the YA paranormal books I've read in the past. It wasn't amazing, but at least I was entertained. I guessed most of the twists in the book, but they weren't completely obvious. The characters were interesting. The storyline kept my attention. I want to know more about the world of the Shadowhunters. I have the second and third volumes in the series. I will definitely be reading them soon.

Movie

First starting to watch the movie, I thought "oh okay, it's the same." But I was mistaken. As the movie continues, more and more things are changed. There are some direct quotes here and there and mostly the characters are the same. However, there are many changes to Valentine and the entire ending is different. I can't quite decide if I like the changes or not. I think that if I saw the movie without reading the book, I would have liked the movie just fine. As I read the book, I had to change my perspective. They didn't turn the book directly into a movie. They used the book as a starting off point. Becuase it isn't a bad movie by itself, I still rated it 4 stars.

Mortal Instruments (DNFed series)

#1 City of Bones
#2 City of Ashes
#3 City of Glass
#4 City of Fallen Angels
#5 City of Lost Souls
#6 City of Heavenly Fire

Becoming Mona Lisa by Donald Sassoon

Title: Becoming Mona Lisa

Author: Donald Sassoon

Publisher: Harcourt 2001

Genre: Nonfiction - Art

Pages: 337

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure; TBR Pile; 52 books - W35; Well Rounded Reader - Art/Design

The Mona Lisa is widely recognized as the most famous painting in the history of art--and an undeniable icon of pop culture. Her celebrated face is used to sell everything from champagne to automobiles, and appears on ashtrays, mouse pads, and refrigerator magnets. More than any other art object, the Mona Lisa demonstrates that something can be high art and pop, classic and cool. Likewise, Donald Sassoon's elegant narrative is as much the story of one painting's ascendance to the status of global icon as it is the popularization of serious and distinguished art. A professor and acclaimed writer, Sassoon provides a fascinating account of Leonardo da Vinci, the Renaissance genius who created the picture; who the mysterious subject was; why it gained its unrivalled position in the art world; and how it has come to be used and abused by other artists and the international advertising industry. Lavishly illustrated, Becoming Mona Lisa is at once social, cultural, and art history of the highest order.

Meh! I thought this would be a great look into why the Mona Lisa is so popular. And while it is, I felt that the writing and overall book construction left much to be desired. It was just so clunky. I had a lot of trouble paying attention to the pages. I gave it 3 stars because the subject matter is interesting and there were interesting bits. I was just bored through a majority of it...

Moonglow by Kristen Callihan

Title: Moonglow (Darkest London #2)

Author: Kristen Callihan

Publisher: Hachette Book Group 2012

Genre: Paranormal

Pages: 382

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Seriously Series; Monthly Motif - Alternate Reality

Once the seeds of desire are sown . . . Finally free of her suffocating marriage, widow Daisy Ellis Craigmore is ready to embrace the pleasures of life that have long been denied her. Yet her new-found freedom is short lived. A string of unexplained murders has brought danger to Daisy's door, forcing her to turn to the most unlikely of saviors . . .
Their growing passion knows no bounds . . . Ian Ranulf, the Marquis of Northrup, has spent lifetimes hiding his primal nature from London society. But now a vicious killer threatens to expose his secrets. Ian must step out of the shadows and protect the beautiful, fearless Daisy, who awakens in him desires he thought long dead. As their quest to unmask the villain draws them closer together, Daisy has no choice but to reveal her own startling secret, and Ian must face the undeniable truth: Losing his heart to Daisy may be the only way to save his soul.

I thought I really enjoyed the first volume in this series, Firelight. How is it that the second volume is even better? I immediately fell for Daisy and Ian. I was rooting for them the entire time. The complications were riveting. The world expansion was a nice surprise. As was the inclusion of Miranda, Archer, Poppy, and Winston. I was lost in this book until the very end. I could not put it down! Definitely a winner! I can't wait to read the third volume. I hope we get to see more of Poppy and Winston and special appearances by all the already know characters and a few shadowy figures. I want more!

Darkest London

#0.5 Ember
#1 Firelight
#2 Moonglow
#3 Winterblaze
#3.5 Entwined
#4 Shadowdance
#5 Evernight
#6 Spellbound
#7 Forevermore

The Orphans at Race Point by Patry Francis

Title: The Orphans at Race Point

Author: Patry Francis

Publisher: Harper Collins 2014

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 547

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; New Author; Monthly Key Word - October; Lucky No. 14 - Blame It on the Bloggers

Set in the close-knit Portuguese community of Provincetown, Massachusetts, The Orphans of Race Point traces the relationship between Hallie Costa and Gus Silva, who meet as children in the wake of a terrible crime that leaves Gus parentless. Their friendship evolves into an enduring and passionate love that will ask more of them than they ever imagined.
On the night of their high school prom, a terrible tragedy devastates their relationship and profoundly alters the course of their lives. And when, a decade later, Gus—now a priest—becomes entangled with a distraught woman named Ava and her daughter Mila, troubled souls who bring back vivid memories of his own damaged past, the unthinkable happens: he is charged with murder. Can Hallie save the man she’s never stopped loving, by not only freeing him from prison but also—finally—the curse of his past?

I feel like this is a good book, but not a great one. I enjoyed reading it, but didn't have any strong feelings at the end. I didn't get into the world as much as I would have liked. I didn't connect to the characters as much as I would have liked. And yet, the writing was good, the storyline was thought out, and the characters were interesting. I guess I just wanted a bit more from the book. I'm giving it 4 stars on the strength of the writing and storyline.

Reasons My Kid is Crying by Greg Pembroke

Title: Reasons My Kid is Crying

Author: Greg Pembroke

Publisher: Three Rivers Press 2014

Genre: Nonfiction - Humor

Pages: 202

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Well Rounded Reader - Humor; 52 Books - W34

A glimpse into the tribulations of parenting that is part documentary, part therapy, and completely hilarious.
It all started when busy father Greg Pembroke posted a few pictures online of his three-year-old son, mid-tantrum, alongside the reason his son was crying: He had broken his bit of cheese in half. In Reasons My Kid is Crying, Greg collects together photos sent from parents around the world, documenting the many, completely logical reasons why small children cry. Among them: “I let him play on the grass” . . . “He ran out of toys to throw into his pool” . . . “The neighbor’s dog isn’t outside”. The result is both an affectionate portrait of the universal, baffling logic of toddlers—and a reminder for burned-out parents everywhere that they are not alone.

Grabbed this one off of the library's New Books shelf after hearing about it from another blogger. Too hilarious! Arthur hasn't hit full-blown toddler crazy stage, but I remember when the twins would cry over silly things. I had a nice few minutes chuckling to myself at the absurd things kids cry about. Very quick and light-hearted, but enjoyable.

Ten Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn

Title: Ten Things I Love About You (Bevelstoke #3)

Author: Julia Quinn

Publisher: Avon Books 2010

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 377

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Seriously Series; Monthly Key Word - September (Number); Lucky No. 14 - First Letter's Rule

Ten Things You Should Know About This Book
1. Sebastian Grey is a devilishly handsome rogue with a secret.
2. Annabel Winslow's family voted her The Winslow Most Likely to Speak Her Mind and The Winslow Most Likely to Fall Asleep in Church.
3. Sebastian's uncle is the Earl of Newbury, and if he dies without siring an heir, Sebastian inherits everything.
4. Lord Newbury detests Sebastian and will stop at nothing to prevent this from happening.
5. Lord Newbury has decided that Annabel is the answer to all of his problems.
6. Annabel does not want to marry Lord Newbury, especially when she finds out he once romanced her grandmother.
7 is shocking, 8 is delicious, and 9 is downright wicked, all of which lead the way to
10. Happily. Ever. After.

I started this book on the strength of the second in the series. I was not disappointed. It turned out better than the second book. I loved the characters of Annabel and Sebastian. I loved their predicament. I loved the storyline. Until we got to the last 30 pages. A bit disappointed about the almost deus ex machina, but then fake out. The writing got a bit clunky at the end. But overall, a solid historical romance.

Bevelstoke

#1 The Secret Diary of Miss Miranda Cheever
#2 What Happens in London
#3 Ten Things I Love About You

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Title: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Author: Sherman Alexie

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company 2007

Genre: YA

Pages: 230

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: NPR Teen; Top 100 YA; US of YA; New Author

Bestselling author Sherman Alexie tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Determined to take his future into his own hands, Junior leaves his troubled school on the rez to attend an all-white farm town high school where the only other Indian is the school mascot.
Heartbreaking, funny, and beautifully written, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, which is based on the author's own experiences, coupled with poignant drawings by Ellen Forney that reflect the character's art, chronicles the contemporary adolescence of one Native American boy as he attempts to break away from the life he was destined to live.

One of those books on the big "Must-read" list and I find that I'm just a little too old to fully appreciate this volume. It's a good read, but I didn't connect to it on a personal level. I did enjoy the little cartoons sprinkled throughout. This feels like a great read for middle to high schoolers. Will keep it in mind for the twins in a few years.

Sunrise by Mike Mullin

Title: Sunrise (Ashfall #3)

Author: Mike Mullin

Publisher: Tanglewood Press 2014

Genre: YA Thriller

Pages: 554

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; 52 Books - W33; Seriously Series; Chunkster

The Yellowstone supervolcano nearly wiped out the human race. Now, almost a year after the eruption, the survivors seem determined to finish the job. Communities wage war on each other, gangs of cannibals roam the countryside, and what little government survived the eruption has collapsed completely. The ham radio has gone silent. Sickness, cold, and starvation are the survivors' constant companions.
When it becomes apparent that their home is no longer safe and adults are not facing the stark realities, Alex and Darla must create a community that can survive the ongoing disaster, an almost impossible task requiring even more guts and more smarts than ever—and unthinkable sacrifice. If they fail . . . they, their loved ones, and the few remaining survivors will perish.

While I've really enjoyed this series, the last book in the trilogy was a bit of a letdown to me. The writing and storyline were a bit uneven. I found my mind wandering during the story. Bad things keep happening to Alex and company. At a certain point, it almost becomes like a comedy. "Oh the cannibals are attacking again... didn't this happen last week?" And the problem of redundancy got to me at a certain point. I just wanted to find out what happened at the end. I did, and it was fairly satisfying, but wasn't the best book I've ever read.

Ashfall

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Title: The Little Prince

Author: Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Publisher: Reynal & Hitchcock 1943

Genre: Children's Literature

Pages: 112

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fantasy Project; 1001 Books; New Author; Monthly Key - July; What's in a Name - Position of Royalty

Few stories are as widely read and as universally cherished by children and adults alike as The Little Prince. Richard Howard's new translation of the beloved classic--published to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's birth--beautifully reflects Saint-Exupéry's unique and gifted style. Howard has excelled in bringing the English text as close as possible to the French, in language, style, and most important, spirit.

Somehow I have gone 32 years without reading The Little Prince. This is the year I rectify that slight. And I'm so glad that I did. This is a delightful little story that appeals to all ages. It's usually shelved in the children's section, but really it could be shelved anywhere. The nuggets of wisdom sprinkled throughout make it a classic. I love that this story has some many different layers. I feel like this is a volume that once read again would yield an entirely different outcome.

Casino Royale by Ian Fleming

Title: Casino Royale

Author: Ian Fleming

Publisher: Jonathan Cape 1953

Genre: Thriller

Pages: 213

Rating: 3/5 stars Movie: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 1001 Books; New Author; 52 Books - W32; Books to Movies

In the novel that introduced James Bond to the world, Ian Fleming’s agent 007 is dispatched to a French casino in Royale-les-Eaux. His mission? Bankrupt a ruthless Russian agent who’s been on a bad luck streak at the baccarat table.
One of SMERSH’s most deadly operatives, the man known only as “Le Chiffre,” has been a prime target of the British Secret Service for years. If Bond can wipe out his bankroll, Le Chiffre will likely be “retired” by his paymasters in Moscow. But what if the cards won’t cooperate? After a brutal night at the gaming tables, Bond soon finds himself dodging would-be assassins, fighting off brutal torturers, and going all-in to save the life of his beautiful female counterpart, Vesper Lynd.

J warned me that the since this was the first book in the series, it started off a bit slow. That was an understatement. I almost put the book down because of the first three chapters. They were clunky and downright boring. I understand that the author has to set up the world, but this was not done well at all. But I stuck with it. The book did get better. The baccarat scene was amazing. The torture seen was almost unreadable, but in a good way. Those two chapters were definitely the high points. The ending was a bit of a let down, but I see how it sets up Bond for the rest of the series. I ended up knocking off a star for the clunky writing and pace. I knocked off another star for my own personal tastes. The multiple comments about how women need to be scene and not heard, kept in the kitchen, etc, really got to me. I know this was written in 1953, but I'd still not prefer to read it. Overall an interesting read, but definitely not going to be a favorite and I probably won't continue the series.

Movie:

I really really enjoyed this movie. Of course, the movie makers made changes from the book. They added the entire first sequence and multiple more action beats while keeping the main storyline and the tone of the book. Plus, I adore Daniel Craig as Bond. He has the grit and the hard nature. Overall, an awesome adaptation. I dare say better than the book.

A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby

Title: A Long Way Down

Author: Nick Honby

Publisher: Penguin 2006

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 325

Rating: 4/5 stars Movie: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Monthly Key Word - Aug; 52 Books - W31; Books to Movies

Meet Martin, JJ, Jess, and Maureen. Four people who come together on New Year's Eve: a former TV talk show host, a musician, a teenage girl, and a mother. Three are British, one is American. They encounter one another on the roof of Topper's House, a London destination famous as the last stop for those ready to end their lives.
In four distinct and riveting first-person voices, Nick Hornby tells a story of four individuals confronting the limits of choice, circumstance, and their own mortality. This is a tale of connections made and missed, punishing regrets, and the grace of second chances.

This isn't High Fidelity. That was my initial thought when finished with the book. I started my Hornby journey with J's favorite and have found that this one just doesn't quite live up to it. This volume is a good novel. We get four interesting engaging characters. The switches in point of view are done well. Overall the storyline is okay. It just doesn't have the depth of High Fidelity. The overall voice of the book is not clear. In fact, I wasn't really sure of the point of the book once I got to the end. But I did enjoy reading it, so that's something.

Movie:

The movie fixed the main issue I had with the book: pacing. The movie quickly moves off of the roof of Topper House and into the characters. Very good decision. Once there, we get each of the characters' voices in a the telling of the larger story. I liked how they kept the voices, but didn't get stuck in each of the stories. Instead, the voices just narrate four different parts of the story. I thought the casting was very spot on, especially Jess. Jess can be very grating in the book. Imogen Poots toned her down a bit, but kept her inappropriate comments and impulsive nature. Toni Colette was perfect as the dowdy Maureen. I really believed her to be the meek mouse of the group. The only thing about the movie that I wasn't sold on was the ending. It was a bit too happy for me. I like the more ambiguous ending of the book. But that's it. I really enjoyed the rest of the movie.

Crafty Book Reviews

Title: Handmade to Sell: Hello Craft's Guide to Owning, Running, and Growing Your Crafty Biz

Author: Kelly Rand, Christine Ernest, Sara Dick, Kimberly Dorn

Publisher: Potter Craft 2012

Genre: Business; Crafts

Pages: 176

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure; Mount TBR; Well Rounded - Self Help

No one knows more about helping handmade businesses than Hello Craft, the nonprofit trade association for crafty entrepreneurs. Written by the directors of Hello Craft, Handmade to Sell is the most complete, up-to-date, and authoritative guide for DIYers seeking to learn every aspect of selling, marketing, and branding.

A very thorough guide for those serious about making crafting a full time business. I'm not there yet, but I did pick up a few pointers and concerns throughout.

Title: How to Sell Your Crafts Online: A Step-by-Step Guide to Successful Sales on Etsy and Beyond

Author: Derrick Sutton

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin 2011

Genre: Business; Crafts

Pages: 224

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure; Mount TBR

With over 400,000 sellers on Etsy, how can you make YOUR shop stand out and increase your sales? This is a key question for many crafters and artists who are selling online these days. Now here are all the answers and much more from author and Etsy seller Derrick Sutton. Based on his self-published guide, and drawn from his practical experience, you will learn how to boost your Etsy sales, attract more customers, and expand your online presence. Derrick shares his proven online sales and marketing knowledge in an easily accessible format, complete with simple actions steps at the end of each chapter. Learn how to completely optimize your Etsy shop, website, or blog, and much more.

I'll admit that I skimmed the second half of this book. I don't need to learn how to set up a blog or even a Facebook account. Those sections didn't really apply to me. But I did get some great advice in the first half: all about the Etsy shop. I've been kicking around the idea of opening my own storefront, so this gave me some good points to think about.

Title: Journal Bliss: Creative Prompts to Unleash Your Inner Eccentric

Author: Violette

Publisher: North Light Books 2009

Genre: Crafts

Pages: 128

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure; Mount TBR

Whether you're looking to express yourself creatively for the first time or have found yourself in a creative rut, you'll soon be following your inspired voice with the help of Journal Bliss. With the guidance of author, Violette, you'll learn to express your thoughts and feelings like never before in your own art journal. Not only will Violette inspire you with her own journal pages, she'll teach you techniques for creating your own unique pages.

This book just wasn't for me. I'm not that into sketching or doodling and that's what the book focused on. I was rather hoping that it would be more about writing style journaling. Oh well. Not bad, just not for me.

Title: Pinterest Perfect: Creative Prompts & Pin-Worthy Projects

Author: Walter Foster Creative Team, Jamielyn Nye, Flora Chia Jung Chang

Publisher: Walter Foster 2014

Genre: Crafts

Pages: 128

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure; Mount TBR; Well Rounded - Home

Filled with step-by-step projects, tutorials, art tips, and crafting techniques on everything from drawing, painting, and illustration to mixed media, typography, and papercrafts, each featured artist shares her unique art style with readers in an interactive and engaging format. Each section features a brief introduction to the artist, followed by four to six easy-to-follow, step-by-step projects and/or art techniques. Open practice pages at the end of each section invite readers to brainstorm, sketch, and collect inspiration for their own artistic projects. In addition, useful sidebars throughout the book share tips for using Pinterest efficiently and effectively, as a hobbyist and professional artist. One part inspiration, one part how-to, and filled to the brim with color, inspiration, and beautiful artwork, Pinterest Perfect! is the picture-perfect visual resource for any artist, crafter, or creative Pinterest enthusiast.

Not that excited once I actually dove in. The creators said that they wanted to emulate the look of Pinterest and they definitely do. Unfortunately that look doesn't really translate to a paper book. Ultimately I was confused by the tactic. With regards to the projects, they were decent. But I found that almost all of the projects have a counterpart on my own Pinterest boards already. Why do I need it in paper form? I kept asking myself that questions, hence the 3 stars.

What Happens in London by Julia Quinn

Title: What Happens in London (Bevelstoke #2)

Author: Julia Quinn

Publisher: Avon 2009

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 372

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Women Author; Seriously Series; 52 Books - W30

When Olivia Bevelstoke is told that her new neighbor may have killed his fiancée, she doesn't believe it for a second, but, still, how can she help spying on him, just to be sure? So she stakes out a spot near her bedroom window, cleverly concealed by curtains, watches, and waits . . . and discovers a most intriguing man, who is definitely up to something.
Sir Harry Valentine works for the boring branch of the War Office, translating documents vital to national security. He's not a spy, but he's had all the training, and when a gorgeous blonde begins to watch him from her window, he is instantly suspicious. But just when he decides that she's nothing more than an annoyingly nosy debutante, he discovers that she might be engaged to a foreign prince, who might be plotting against England. And when Harry is roped into spying on Olivia, he discovers that he might be falling for her himself . . .

I was with this book all the way up to the last 30 pages. And then it just went off the rails for me. We get this story of two interesting characters who eventually fall in love. I loved it! However, the ending involves a kidnapping, an extortion plot, a sudden reversal of character, and a hasty gimicky marriage proposal. No thank you. I could have done without those plot turns. What's so bad with having a nice romance novel focused on characters instead of a cliched plot devices? My advice, read the novel until they arrive at the ball. Then, just quit reading. It's a much better story that way.

Bevelstoke

#1 The Secret Diary of Miss Miranda Cheever
#2 What Happens in London
#3 Ten Things I Love About You

Fairest: In All the Land

Title: Fairest: In All the Land

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2013

Genre: Fantasy Comics

Pages: 160

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Seriously Series

FAIREST has explored the secret histories of the most stunning beauties in Fabletown: Cinderella, Snow White, Briar Rose, Rapunzel, and the list goes on and on. In FAIREST IN ALL THE LAND, the best names in comics take their turns fleshing out the pasts of the loveliest Fables in existence. For all those wanting to dive into FAIREST or FABLES, this original graphic novel is a fantastic entry point, as well as a great new chapter for those that have been following Bill Willingham's fairy tale epic for years.

Oh I liked this one a lot. Cinderella gets a starring role in a murder mystery starring all our Fairest ladies. We even get to see what's been going on in the Business Office since it was cut off from Fabletown. A very interesting little tale. Even I didn't foresee the entirety of the ending. Nicely constructed storyline giving the readers just enough clues to figure it out with Cindy.

Fairest:

#1 Wide Awake
#2 Hidden Kingdom
In All the Land
#3 The Return of the Maharaja
#4 Cinderella - Of Mice and Men